Gerard Starkie is one of the finest singers in England. That might sound like pure rhetoric but the evidence has long been evident from the two magnificent albums that Starkie recorded with his former band, Witness.
Those records Before the Calm in 1999 and Under a Sun in 2001 received the most extraordinary critical applause, some of which was especially reserved for Starkies own performances. The Times newspaper, for instance, claimed that Starkies vocals are imbued with that nebulous quality of soul fragile, sensitive and exuding a dignified stoicism doubtless born of experience while Q magazines review of Under a Sun stated that almost overburdened by yearning melodies, chief Witness Gerard Starkie sings about lifes travails in aching tones reminiscent of REMs Michael Stipe.
Witness were always a band that was meant to be. Even back in 1999 Uncut magazine was claiming that this time next year Witness will be a leading contender for best album of the year. Frustratingly, things didn't work out that way.
Formed in Wigan during April 1997, the band moved to Bristol following the release of Before the Calm three years later. In addition to formidable reviews, the album also found favour with the public on the back of a rising live reputation for the band, Before the Calm made the UK charts in the summer of 1999.
It was after the release of the second Witness album, however, that the band quit Island Records. Despite phenomenal reviews, the album stubbornly refused to realise its heightened commercial expectations. By the start of 2004 the band decided on a different direction, with Gerard Starkie now working as a solo artist.
"The band didn't split acrimoniously and there were no bust ups. Dylan Keeton (bass) is still heavily involved in what I'm doing now. Going solo doesn't mean I'll be playing with a bass drum strapped to my back and cymbals on my knees", says Starkie.
"Witness used to work democratically. It's a much more single-minded process now. Obviously that's going to have an effect", he says. "I've also been working songs on a computer rather than just an acoustic guitar and again, that alters the flavour but, at the end of the day, it's still me writing the songs, so don't expect a hip hop album."
Gerard has a new track entitled "The Whispering" available on a limited edition vinyl compilation. The record is priced at £4 including postage and available here:
(securely via Paypal)
Gerards last album is available for download. The album is called Drawbridge. To thank the fans who have stayed with him all this time Gerard decided to give the album away free. It can be downloaded in its entirety below:
Everyone at indiecater records would like to wish you a happy summer and let you know that there is an indiepop song from the Very Most available to download FREE from our site!
my debut album is out now. It’s received great reviews in the press so I hope you like it as much as they do! download at iTunes, buy at HMV or order at www.jerseybudd.com im also on a UK tour at the moment including dates with Kasabian so check out my page for music and dates jers
SPECIAL GUEST APPEARIANCE BY EVAN DANDO, PHILLIP BOA, SPORTFREUNDE STILLER, THE MISSING LEECH, MUFF POTTER, AHEADS, PANDORA, DAVID CUNNINGHAM, VIRGINIA JETZT!, RUMMELSNUFF, KATE MOSH, SEDLMEIR, GITBOX!, SPAYED, BERNADETTE LA HENGST, KATZE, CYRENA DUNBAR, WRONGKONG, NAVEL, WILLIAM HONDA, DAVID LOHDI, GISBERT ZU KNYPHAUSEN, POPULATION CONTROL, VON SPAR & many lovely folks more.
PRODUCED BY THE STRIKE BOYS
TORTUGA BAR’s Version of “ALISON’S STARTING TO HAPPEN” with KATE MOSH & WRONGKONG appear on the "SQUEALING FANS - A TRIBUTE TO IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY & THE LEMONHEADS" Compilation. Exclusively via Download from: www. lemonheads. co. uk
Salut Gerard, you look fantastic! Music is my message and I love your music! Your sounds like fun, I like your style. Send you good feelings and energy. Greetings from Hamburg, Silva
